Miserably failed cross axle obstacle (need off road help)

[drzjoint]

LR3 2006 6 cylinder, 78,000 miles.
I like everything about these tires EXCEPT the side wall resitance to puntures. I am replacing the 6th, yes the 6th tire, each due to sidewall puntire from Mesquite thorns.
If you are on rock, then you might be OK. Glad I got the warranty.
I am drinving over the same terrain as I did in my XC90. On the XC 90, I had Michelin tires with the D rated sidewalls. Never a puncture. I wish I could put them on the LR3.
I am often in very slick mud under all 4 tires. I always switch the dsc off.
Oh well, Discount Tire shoud have the 6th replacement in about 3 days. The manager said tha I hold the record for replacements.
At this rate, I'll never wear out the tread.

You could fit 17s on yours. I have heard BMW x5 wheels fit 17s would rock.

 

[yrbender]

Turn the DSC off

 

[Houm_WA]

...I think all these suggestions are good ones, but the bottom line is that you were on a 25 degree incline with loose ground under your street tires. You can't just mosey on up to the obstacle and dip your toe in...you gotta "drive it!" if you wanna clear that sucker.

I'm not saying that you need to put your foot in all the way and act like a cowboy, but for any incline I'm getting a lil mo....start out (at the bottom of the hill not the beginning of the obstacle) at about 7 mph and try to maintain that on your way up and through the obstacle.

It shouldn't be any kind or problem for the LR3.

 

[nwoods]

...I think all these suggestions are good ones, but the bottom line is that you were on a 25 degree incline with loose ground under your street tires. You can't just mosey on up to the obstacle and dip your toe in...you gotta "drive it!" if you wanna clear that sucker.

I'm not saying that you need to put your foot in all the way and act like a cowboy, but for any incline I'm getting a lil mo....start out (at the bottom of the hill not the beginning of the obstacle) at about 7 mph and try to maintain that on your way up and through the obstacle.

It shouldn't be any kind or problem for the LR3.

Hmmm...not the advice I would typically give out on the trail. The motto is as slow as possible, as fast as neccessary.

The key here is as someone mentioned earlier, got to let the TC do it's thing. The way to do that is VERY gentle, consistent throttle. Hold the throttle at one constant setting (at very low speed) and allow the TC to figure out what's up, and the magic happens and even the crappy GoodForOneYears will dig in and roll through. Stay OFF the brakes. I'm sure you felt the system just start to work when ever you let off the throttle (you mentioned it crabbing around). I have found that most new off roaders will let off the gas just before the apex of the obstacle, instead of immeadiately after the apex. Not sure why, but its a common occurance. If you just hold the throttle in that slow mild speed setting long enough to get over the apex, then you are golden.

come down slow!

As you get over the obstacle, you want to inch down the other side to prevent the suspension from compressing, and you hitting the obstacle with your expensive sheet metal.

 

[Houm_WA]

Whatever...

Nathan,

This sounds like a pretty typical hillclimb with some potholes.

I am not sure that TC would even be necesary for this obstacle (per the video), but he is talking about a substantial incline here, which requires a little more speed than "very slow." 7 mph is still considered slow in my book, but with the necessary speed to climb a hill. I also used the word "maintain" with respect to that speed indicating that consistent throttle is key, as you say.

Maybe the poster can go try it both ways (per your advice and per mine) and report back on which one works out better...

Note that if this obstacle were on level ground or downhill I'd give very different advice. If it were on level ground I'd give the same advice as Nathan's. If you were more advanced I'd even suggest using your left foot on the brake at the same time to control the speed. This makes the ride smoother by "stiffening the suspension" so that it doesn't compress as easily. If it were downhill I'd put it in 1st gear (and 4-Lo of course) and let the rig idle through it, filtering out the steering wheel oscillations and letting the LR3 do the rest.

 

[beantmt]

Quick update:

After getting to know the vehicle a little more, I went back and tackled it with no problem at all. I even stopped in the middle of the obstacle like I did the first time, and was able to continue up without any problems.

Thanks for the advice, guys. Here are a few things I did:

1. Engaged 4-wheel low and terrain response well ahead of time
2. Used manual gear shifting
3. Kept a consistent speed (6-7 mph probably)--other than the stopping in the middle
4. Turned off DSC

Not a problem at all.

I'll attach a picture of the Fall colors where we went passed the obstacle. I took my real camera but discovered that it didn't have a memory card in it--"thanks" wifey-poo. The cell phone picture doesn't quite do it justice.

 

[Houm_WA]

Nice work! Great pic, too...